The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-21
This poor little woman could buy nothing, not

this Door little woman could buy nothing, not
even so much as a bit Of candy, for stern
necessity had laid too strong q hand upon this
desolate little family for the spending even
of one penny on anything but food, fuel and
rent. Choking back the unruly sobs that
would mount up the little woman at last
reached the butchers shop where she dealt,
when she had anything to buy with, and here
she bought soup bone for ten cents, a car
rot, turnip and two potatoes for five cents,
and then as the fat butchers fatter wife put
them in paper bag she slyly added two rosy
apples from barrel and two big red onions,
and the butcher being busy just then selling
fine turkey to the proprietor Of a boarding
| house did not see it.
"For the babies, ma'am, with my love-"
said the jolly woman, "and 1 wish it was
more"
Abby Hicks stood q moment irresolute,
with the rcd spots Of shame burning in her
cheeks, for never before had sho accepted O
gift, and yet her heart was glad for her
children and lighter for the womanly sympa-
thy which she felt had actuated this meager
gift.
"Thank your was all she could trust her.
self to say, and she hurried away, and from
therc she went to the little corner grocery
where her wants were supplied when accom-
panied by cash Here she Bought five cent
loaf and pail Of coal.
"Nothing else7' asked the grocer's clerk.
"yTc have some fine turkeys and cranberries:
chickens. too, first rate Philadelphia dry
picked raisins, apples, jellies, celery-nothinS
Mt all:"
"No, thank you," said Abby, hurrying
away.
The coal had taken her last cent. She got
out again into the street OH her way back
and hurried onward only anxious to get
back to where she could weep her heart out
in her woe, for where is an agony keener for
a mother than to deprive her children of the
Joy that is rightfully theirs on Christmas
day? Dear little Robbie! He would hear
tho other children blowing their tin trum-
pets and beating their drums, and his sturdy
little heart had always desired one and the
other by turns. And good, gentle Ruthiel
How her motherly soul had longed for real
doll! Not the old rag doll, but real one,
with foir hair and blue eyes. And this
mother had promised long ago that she
would write long letter to Santa Claus and
tell him what good little children they were,
and now they would grieve over his neglect.
What should she dol She had nothing to
sell that they could by any possibility spare.
Everything had been sold long ago that
could bring anything at all; and now, to add
to her despair, huckster's wagon, loaded
with cheap toys, stopped just n front Of her,
and the strong lunged hucksters began cry
ing out their wares. Again she quickened
her pace, and went on blindly up the stairs to
her miserable home, all the while her heart
nearly bursting with its agony as memory
pictured this home as it had been only ten
short years ago. Yes, on this very anniver-
sary, and she dressed in white satin, with
pearls and beautiful laces, was the envied
beauty Of the great ball Where now were
all those brilliant lights, the flowers, the ser
wants, her sweet faced mother and noble
father9